TOYOTA MOTOR SEES SIGNS OF RECOVERY

       Toyota, Thailand's largest auto company, says the automobile market is showing signs of revovery, thanks to the government's stimulus measures.
       The company recently teamed up with its dealers around the country to stage roadshows to stimulate sales, said Toyota Motor Thailand senior vice president Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont.
       "Compared with what we experienced in the first quarter, when the economy was hit by the global recession, the situation has improved, although not too dramatically," he said.
       Vudhigorn said most of the improvement was in the passenger-car segment, while the pickup market continued to be in a state of decline, with no positive factors to spark a recovery.
       He said consumer confidence had risen over the past three months, with the government's stimulus measures showing positive results across the general economy.
       There were also a alarge number of new-model launches that benefited the auto market. However, the pickup market still faces negative factors such as strict approval procedures by finance companies and rising fuel prices.
       "This ha caused the pickup market to fall 30 per cent in the first eight months of the year," he said. Passenger-car sales fell only 11 per cent in the same period.
       Nevertheless, Toyota is presently staging marketing events in six provinces each week, which is more frequent than in the past. The activities include entertainment, palnt visits, rallies and caravans, as well as local festivities.
       Vudhigorn said Toyota would raise the level of its promotions in the remaining months of the year.
       Recently the company launched what it calls its "Sabay D" promotion, which includes lower installment rates starting at Bt4,953 a month over an 84-month period, lower interest rates, special offers and privileges and low 15-per-cent down payments.